A splitter system and methods are shown. In various examples, a splitter body has a plurality of blades attached at different angular locations around a perimeter of the splitter body, and the plurality of blades includes a primary blade having a primary cutting depth that is deeper than the rest of the plurality of blades. The plurality of blades splits pipe into multiple sections to relax shape memory of split pipe. In some examples, an expander is coupled behind the splitter body. The expander may include at least one opening to expel a fluid for lubrication when the splitter system is configured to introduce a fluid to the expander through a new pipe that is pulled behind the expander. Other configurations are further shown that provide lubrication to splitting operations in multiple locations along a splitter system, additional methods of lubrication, and electrical isolation of cutting blades.
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1. A splitter system, comprising:
a pipe to be split, having a wall thickness;
a splitter body coupled in fixed relation to a pulling member;
a plurality of blades attached at different angular locations around a perimeter of the splitter body, wherein the plurality of blades includes one or more blades wherein a deepest cutting depth along a cutting path defined by the one or more blades includes a maximum cutting depth that is less than the wall thickness and a primary blade having a primary cutting depth that is deeper than the rest of the plurality of blades, and the primary blade is attached along a separate longitudinal axis from the rest of the plurality of blades.
7. A splitter system, comprising:
a pipe to be split, having a wall thickness;
a splitter body coupled in fixed relation to a pulling member;
a plurality of blades attached at different angular locations around a perimeter of the splitter body, wherein the plurality of blades includes one or more blades wherein a deepest cutting depth along a cutting path defined by the one or more blades includes a maximum cutting depth that is less than the wall thickness, and a primary blade having a primary cutting depth that is deeper than the rest of the plurality of blades, and the primary blade is attached along a separate longitudinal axis from the rest of the plurality of blades; and
an expander coupled behind the splitter body, wherein the expander includes at least one opening to expel a fluid wherein splitter system is configured to introduce fluid to the expander through a new pipe that is pulled in behind the expander.
2. The splitter system of
3. The splitter system of
4. The splitter system of
6. The splitter system of
8. The splitter system of
9. The splitter system of
10. The splitter system of
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This patent application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/664,257, filed Oct. 30, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/465,011, filed May 13, 2009, which claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/127,606, filed on May 14, 2008, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Pipe splitting is useful for replacement of pipes without the need to excavate the length of the pipe to be replaced. An example of pipe splitting includes pulling a cutting blade with an expander through the pipe to be replaced, and attaching a new pipe behind the cutting blade. The pipe to be replaced is split, and pushed into the surrounding soil, and the new pipe, of equal or larger diameter is pulled into the new space within the split pipe. Splitter are commonly used for small diameter pipes, and for pipes of a material that lends itself to splitting.
Gas lines are one example of pipes where splitting is useful in pipe replacement. An example includes high density polyethylene (HDPE) gas pipe. Large quantities of 2 inch diameter HDPE gas pipes are currently in need of replacement. 300 miles of gas pipe in a single city in need of replacement is not uncommon. Improved splitter systems are needed to address the large task of replacing old pipes such as HDPE gas lines and other pipe materials/utilities in need of replacement.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. In the following description, the term cable is defined to include metal cables, wire rope, or other lengths of flexible line of suitable strength to pull devices as described below through a section of pipe. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical, structural, or logical changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A number of puller 110 and pulling member 116 options are possible. In one example, the pulling member included a number of pulling rods that are joined together in sections, and the puller includes a rod puller. One example of a rod puller engages the rods in a number of notches or openings in the rods (not shown). In one embodiment, the rods are first pushed through the pipe to be replaced, then the splitter system is coupled to the rods and the splitter system is drawn back through the pipe, as described above. In one embodiment, a leading portion with a swivel joint such as a ball joint is attached to a front end of the rods prior to pushing the rods through the pipe to be replaced. A short leading portion, such as an approximately six inch long portion with an rounded nose, provides improved tracking of the rods within the pipe to be replaced. Improved tracking helps prevent the rods from accidentally pushing through a wall of the pipe to be replaced.
Other examples of a puller 110 and pulling member 116 includes a cable, wire rope, etc. pulling member 116 that is pulled by a winch, cyclic cable puller, or other cable puling device. Other pullers 110 and pulling members 116 are also possible, such as directional drill stem sections, etc.
In addition to pulling options, in one embodiment, a number of rods are used to push an embodiment of a splitter system. In one example, after the splitter system is pushed through the pipe to be replaced, at least portions of the splitter system are removed, and the new pipe is attached to an expander and pulled back by the same rod puller/pusher.
Using HDPE gas line splitting as an example, it has been found, that old pipes are sometimes distorted in an out of round shape, however, the wall thickness is quite consistent. In one example, pulling the shaping mandrel 210 through the pipe 250 before splitting forms the pipe 250 into a predictable configuration prior to a splitting operation. Although a round cross section pipe 250 is used as an example, other shapes and corresponding shaping mandrels 210 are within the scope of the invention.
One problem to be overcome in splitting pipes is that frequently there are adjacent utilities buried in close proximity to the pipe to be split. Some adjacent utilities are fragile, such as fiber optic cables. Other adjacent utilities are dangerous such as electrical lines. It is desirable to perform a splitting operation on pipes 250 with minimal impact and minimal danger to a splitting operator. A device and method are needed to reduce damage to adjacent utilities.
In one example, a primary blade 214 is included with the plurality of blades 214. The primary blade 214 is shown with a primary cutting depth 215. In one example the primary cutting depth 215 is deeper than the cutting depth 217 of the other blades 216. Using a primary blade 214 provides a more consistent fracture line for the pipe 250 during a splitting operation. In one example the cutting depth 217 of the blades is set at approximately 75 percent of the wall thickness 252. In one example the primary cutting depth 215 is set at approximately 90 percent of the wall thickness. Although eight blades 216, including one primary blade 214 are shown, the invention is not so limited. Other numbers of blades and primary blades are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Although regular angular blade spacing of 45 degrees apart is shown, other embodiments include different blade spacings.
One problem with splitting pipe such as HDPE gas lines is that the split pipes can have a detrimental shape memory. After splitting with a single blade, the pipe 250 can curl up and tighten about the new pipe 260. This causes increased friction when pulling the new pipe 260 into the split pipe 250. By cutting the pipe 250 into a number of sections 254, any shape memory of the pipe 250 is relaxed, and the new pipe 260 can be pulled into the cavity formed more easily. Additionally, by keeping the sections 254 loosely attached at the scores 256, the pipe 250 is weakened, but still retains some axial integrity. This can help prevent the pipe 250 from bunching up into a number of fractured strands during a splitting operation. An advantage of using a primary blade 214 includes formation of a predictable break line 258.
In one embodiment, the bead 552 rides up over a shaping mandrel 510 similar to other embodiments described above. The bead 552 is shown in
In
In one embodiment, a non-conductive insert 740 is coupled between the shaping mandrel 710 and the pulling member 742. When splitting an insulating material such as HDPE, if an adjacent electrical line were breached and came into contact with metal cutting blades, electricity could travel down the pulling member 742 towards a pulling device such as a winch, rod puller, etc. By inserting a non-conductive insert 740 between the splitter body 712 and the pulling member 742, a potential for electrical shock is reduced. In one example, a non-conductive insert 740 includes a fiberglass insert. Other non-conductive inserts 740 of sufficient strength and toughness are also possible.
In one method of pipe installation, the new pipe 730 is used as a liner, and a replacement line such as a gas line is further introduced within the new pipe 730 for service. Using such a pipe within a pipe configuration, there are no contamination issues from pumping a fluid directly by flooding an interior of the new pipe 730.
In addition, the embodiment of
As described above, in one embodiment, a shape memory of the split pipe is relieved by multiple interior scores using such as configuration, and friction on any new pipe being pulled in is reduced. By cutting only a portion of the wall thickness, adjacent utilities such as fragile fiber optics, or electrical lines are protected.
While a number of advantages of embodiments of the invention are described, any lists of above mentioned advantages are not intended to be exhaustive. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
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